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8 things to know about Round Rock charter amendments

Round Rock voters will decide how the City Charter should be amended, with four propositions on the ballot in addition to the three contested City Council races. File photo

Round Rock voters will see four propositions on the ballot Saturday and will decide how the city charter should be amended, in addition to the three contested City Council races.

Of the four proposed amendments, the first and last propositions deal with changing the process in which members join the council. The other two are more administrative.

The Leader has answered the following questions on the amendments to help inform voters.

1. Why didn’t I hear about these propositions at City Council meetings this year?

The charter amendments came from the council-appointed Charter Review Commission and were approved by the council in August 2015 in anticipation of a May 2016 election. However, the election was canceled due to two council members running unopposed. The council opted to postpone a vote on the proposed amendments until the next regular election, which is Saturday.

2. How were the propositions created?

The Charter Review Commission is made up of seven community members who met four times in 2015 to discuss and decide upon possible amendments to the City Charter. The group meets every four years to review the City Charter and, if necessary, recommends changes to the City Council.

3. If passed, what will Proposition 1 do?

Proposition 1 would allow the council to appoint a member to the council by a majority vote in the event that there is a vacancy in a Place 1-6 seat with a term of a year or less left until the next regular election.

If there is a vacancy in the office of mayor with a term of a year or less left until the next regular election, then a council member may be appointed to fill the seat by a majority vote.

If the council decides not to appoint someone to the council seats or as mayor, then it may call a special election to fill it. When there’s an unexpired term of more than a year left, a special election must be called to fill the vacancy.

During discussion two years ago that led to approving the propositions, Mayor Alan McGraw said the Cedar Park City Council and the Round Rock school board use a similar appointment process when necessary — and when they do, “it is a very deliberative process.”

“Personally, I’m OK with it,” he said.

4. If approved, what will Proposition 2 do?

Proposition 2 would allow the council to authorize city employees other than the city manager to execute a contract or expend funds for budget items.

5. What will Proposition 3 do?

Proposition 3 would clarify the wording in some sections of the charter and establish consistent terms used to reference the mayor, council members, city manager and other city employees.

6. What will Proposition 4 do?

Proposition 4 would increase the council candidate filing fee from $50 to $250. It would also increase the required number of signatures from 25 to 100 for a petition to get one’s name on the ballot without paying a fee.

7. How will the propositions appear on the ballot exactly?

The ballot language will appear as follows:

• Proposition 1: Amendment to the Home Rule Charter of the City of Round Rock, Texas changing the procedure for the filling of vacancies on the City Council and the Office of the Mayor.

• Proposition 2: Amendment to the Home Rule Charter of the City of Round Rock, Texas to allow the City Council to authorize city employees other than the City Manager to execute contracts and/or expends funds for budget items.

• Proposition 3: Amendment to the Home Rule Charter of the City of Round Rock, Texas to clarify and make consistent the terms used to reference the Mayor, Councilmembers, City Manager, and other city employees.

• Proposition 4: Amendment to the Home Rule Charter of the City of Round Rock, Texas to increase the candidate filing fee from $50 to $250 and to increase from 25 to 100 the number of voter signatures required for a petition to be on the ballot.